In recent years, communities across Maine have increasingly shouldered the brutal burden of climate change. From millions of dollars of storm damage to long summer days of poor air quality, there is no denying that decades of fossil fuel reliance have left a profound impact on our health and ecosystems. To address these consequences, Maine passed its landmark Climate Law in 2019, seemingly ushering in an age of action to fend off the climate crisis.
However, the wave of actions never arrived. After enacting the Climate Law, the state specifically tasked its agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) with implementing its targets, including a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2050. Nearly five years later, BEP has adopted only two rules aimed at achieving the law's greenhouse gas reductions, and none to address emissions from the transportation sector, which contributes more than 50% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.. In short, we are nowhere near achieving the goals required by law to protect our communities. Something must be done, and quickly.
That is why, the Sierra Club – alongside the Conservation Law Foundation and Maine Youth Action – has filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine for failing to address the climate crisis. The lawsuit seeks to compel the State to carry out its obligations to pass rules that comply with and achieve the Climate Law’s goals. It is time for Maine to live up to its climate motto, “Maine Won’t Wait,” and take bold, determined steps toward cutting greenhouse emissions, starting in the transportation sector.
Transportation out-emits any other sector or industry in Maine. Cars, trucks, and other vehicles across the state account for 54 percent of Maine's health-harming, planet-destroying emissions. Still, BEP has not adopted a single rule to reduce transportation pollution. Instead, state leaders have rejected three transportation decarbonization rules since the Climate Law passed.
Enough is enough. The solution is simple: the Board must adopt rules compliant with Maine's Climate Law requirements, prioritizing emissions from transportation (e.g. Advanced Clean Cars 2) by November of this year.
The Advanced Clean Cars II standards are estimated to bring an 80 percent reduction in Maine’s nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and over 70 percent reduction in particulate matter (PM) emissions from light duty vehicles by 2050 compared to 2025 levels. The new standards are also estimated to generate $16.9 billion in net societal benefits — including health and energy savings plus other climate benefits — for Mainers through 2050.
While this case is litigated, we invite you to show your support for our cause by signing up for email updates and action opportunities from Sierra Club Maine. Your voice is valuable to our movement. Together, we can fight for the sustainable future Maine needs to survive our changing climate.
Maine needs more than empty promises and uncertain commitments. Our cities, towns, forests, and waterways need action that matches the magnitude of the crisis. State leaders must do all they can to responsibly and equitably reduce emissions, starting with our most significant polluters. By cutting emissions, we can ensure all Mainers can breathe easier in the place we call home.